Wykes in with a chance for Super Rugby opener

Western Force lock Sam Wykes will be assessed again next week before a final determination on his fitness is made for the opening round of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Wykes was substituted late in the club's trial match against the Reds in Perth last night after feeling tightness in his hamstring.

He'll be monitored across the weekend and tested early next week as Coach Richard Graham contemplates his line-up for a clash against the Brumbies in Canberra.

"Sam is certainly a player that has come on in leaps in and bounds in the past 18 months and we'll just wait and see how he pulls up after the weekend," Graham said.

"We've got great depth in the second row and we're fortunate to be able to select from a group that also includes the experience of Nathan Sharpe and Toby Lynn as well as Phoenix Battye," Graham said.

At this stage the only players unavailable for selection in round one are Richard Brown, who is a fortnight away from returning after double shoulder surgery, and Jordan Rapana who will miss the season following a shoulder reconstruction earlier this month.